For All You Paint Experts re Paint Primers (when to use a primer)

Hello:
Not too sharp in the painting area.
Regarding Paint Primers:
Are there general rules of thumb for when, and where, paint primer should be
used before applying the regular paint ?
Interested in both interior and exterior.
Would the answers be different for oil vs latex paints ?
Guess I should also ask if there are times when it should not be utilized ?
Thanks,
Bob

be
You need only think why primer is used -- in order
to make the colour coat cover better and adhere
better than it would if you used no primer. So the
rule of thumb is that you should always use a primer
unless you know there is no need: always prime
unpainted wood, prime when you plan to cover
a latex with an oil paint and vice versa.

I also like to tint primers to get a better color. If you are using the
latex white primers (Kilz comes to mind), the paint store will tint it
for you. This helps a lot.
Also, with paint colors like red enamel, a prime of white makes the
color brighter, as some colors are somewhat "transparent," and do not
cover well.
Also, primers do wonders to level out the minor imperfections in a
surface, as well as giving better adhesion for the final coats.

Just about any new, unpainted surface, interior or exterior, should be
primed before applying a finish coat. Previously painted surfaces should
also be primed if the existing finish is deteriorated, after preparing the
surface - scraping, sanding, and washing. Prime can also be used as an
'undercoat' when painting over a darker color or tinted to match the new
paint color and used as a first coat in situations when you know you will
need two coats to cover. (I painted over a dark red with one coat of primer
and a single coat of the new light blue color).
As for when a primer is not needed - if the surface is in good shape, and
the new finish is close to the old, you can probably get away without
priming.
Remember - primers generally do not cover like the finish coat, so don't
paint yourself crazy trying to get good coverage with the primer. Just
ensure that it is applied evenly, without roller or brush marks - these are
hard to hide no matter how may finish coats you apply

it used to be for bare materials , that it was one or two primer coats
, undercoat , then finish coats .
for previously painted surfaces ,when changing colors one undercoat
and two finish coats .
primers provide better adhesion to raw surfaces than the undercoat ,
and may be better at filling / sealing wood surfaces .

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